The rock band Metallica was founded when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper. Metallica's original line-up consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and bassist Ron McGovney.

These last two were later replaced from the band, in favor of Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton, respectively.

In September 1986, Metallica's tour bus skidded out of control and flipped, which resulted in Burton being crushed under the bus and killed.

The band achieved substantial commercial success with its self-titled 1991 album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

With this release the band expanded its musical direction resulting in an album that appealed to a more mainstream audience.

In 2000, Metallica was among several artists who filed a lawsuit against Napster for sharing the band's copyright-protected material for free without the band members' consent.

Despite reaching number one on the Billboard 200, the release of St. Anger alienated some fans with the exclusion of guitar solos, and the "steel-sounding" snare drum.

Metallica has released nine studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, twenty-two music videos and forty-three singles.

The band has become one of the most commercially successful and influential heavy metal acts.

In 1991, with new producer Bob Rock, Huey felt Metallica simplified and streamlined its music for a more commercial approach to appeal to the mainstream audience.

Bob Rock, who had worked with the bands The Cult, Bon Jovi, and Mötley Crüe, was hired as producer.

The band abandoned its aggressive, fast tempos to expand its music and expressive range, said Robert Palmer of Rolling Stone.

The change in direction proved commercially successful as Metallica was the band's first album to peak at number one on the Billboard 200.

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